Electric current distributor



Oct. l2, 1943. E. B. NowoslELsKi ELECTRIC CURRENT DISTRIBUTOR Filed oct.15, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 awa y Snnentor .35 ward B/awosze/sz CtttornegOct. 12, 1943. E. B. Nowcsn-:LsKl

ELECTRIC CURRENT DISTRIBUTOR Filed Oct. 15, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Snvemor Edward BNOwose/sk Cttorneg oct. 12, 1943.

E. B. NOWOSIELSKI ELECTRIC CURRENT DI STRIBUTOR Filed Oct. `15, 1941 3Sheets-Sheet 3 nventor .Edward BJVowosz'eZsk Gttorneg Patented Oct. 12,1943 UNITED STATES PATENT 1DFFICE or to E'dison-Splitdorf Corporation,

West

Orange, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application October 15, 1941,Serial No. 415,087

(Cl. o- 24) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to electric current distributors and moreparticularly to distributors for the ignition current of internalcombustion engines. The invention has a special application in ignitionsystems for aircraft which have large numbers of cylinders and which areto ily at high altitudes in the raried atmosphere.

Ignition current distribution is accomplished by moving a distributingmeans or rotor past successive leading-out electrodes connected to theengine spark plugs. The distributing rotor is supplied Withhigh-voltage'current impulses, as from an ignition generator or magneto,which are timed with the rotor movement to occur at the instants therotor moves past, cr registers with, successive ones of the leading-outlelectrodes. Thus, the voltage impulses encounter relatively shortair-gaps to the successive leading-out electrodes, which gaps they areenabled to jump and be conducted to the respective engine spark plugs,

At each spark jump, or breakdown of an airgap, the immediate region ofthe air is placed in a highly ionized state and becomes a good conductorof electricity. This ionized state has a ldefinite duration and, becauseof the separating movement between the rotor and the leading-outelectrodes, causes an arc to trail after each electrode. Typically, eachvoltage impulse may not die out completely before the occurrence of thenext succeeding one with the result that a substantial residual voltageis applied to the rotor between impulses. This residual voltage prolongsthe duration of l each spark and lengthens the trailing arcs. Increasedengine speed also tends to lengthen these arcs. Accordingly, it isnecessary to provide ample dielectric spacing between succeedingleading-out electrodes in order that successive firing or distributingpositions may not be bridged by the trailing arcs and cause the currentto be deviated to the wrong engine spark plugs to cause misring.

In theusual distributor all the leading-out electrodes are arranged atequal intervals in one circle around the distributor block and are fedsuccessively by a central distributor arm. When such a distributor is tohave a large number of leading-out electrodes to serve an engine havinga large number of cylinders, as of twelve or more, the distributor blockmust have an unduly large diameter in order to provide ample dielectricspacing between adjacent electrodes to prevent bridging of successivedistributing positions. The use of such a large block introducesdifficult problems in manufacturing and in meeting size and costrequirements. These problems in distributors are particularly acute inconnection With aircraft engines, particularly those which are to ily athigh altitudes since the effective dielectric spacing between successivedistributing positions in the distributor must for this application beevermore increased because of the decreased dielectric strength of theatmosphere.

It is an object of my invention to provide a new and improveddistributor arrangement wherein such possible misoperation as is abovenoted is eiectively prevented, and particularly it is an object toprovide a distributor adapted to serve engines eiiiciently anddependably which have large numbers of cylinders and which are tooperate under conditions where the dielectric strength of the atmosphereis reduced.

It is another object to provide an improved distributor arrangementwherein a large dielectric spacing and insulation is obtained betweensuccessive distributing positions.

It is another object to provide an improved current distributor, havingan aggroupment of leading-out electrodes, wherein the electrodes areselected successively at space intervals greater than the distancesbetween adjacent electrodes.

It is another object to provide a distributor having a plurality ofdistributing parts coacting in a novel relationship.

It is a further object to provide an improved distributor assemblyhaving a large number of leading-out electrodes for serving engineshaving many cylinders while yet having such improvements in constructionas are conducive to reliability and durability in operation and economyin manufacture It is another object to provide a simplified distributorand current-generator arrangement for the purposes above stated, andmore particularly to provide a compact magneto and distributorarrangement of novel design adapted to serve efiiciently and reliablymulti-cylindered engines which are to operate in the rarifiedatmosphere.

Other objects of my invention will more fully appear from the followingdescription and the appended claims.

In the description of my invention reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a distributor constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of my invention and taken substantiallyalong the line I-l of Figure 2;

lFigure 2 is a top fractional view of the structure of Figure l as seenwith the top housing section removed and with a part broken away;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 ofFigure l;

Figure 4 is a top View of one of the distributor units employed in thisembodiment of my invention;

Figure 5 is a side view of the unit shown in Figure 4 Figure 6 is apartially diagrammatic view of circuits and structure illustrating asecond embodiment of my invention and as adapted to a current generatorone part thereof appearing in section on the line 6 6 of Figure 7; and

Figure 7 is a View partiallyv diagrammatic of the distributorarrangement shown in Figure 6.

The illustrative embodiment of my invention herein shown in Figures 1-5comprises a plurality of separate auxiliary distributor units of whichin the present instance there are three designated respectively as Ia,Ibi and Ic. These units each .comprise a. series of leading-outelectrodes 2., a distributor rotor 3. and an input terminal 4 whichconstitutes an intermediate leading-out electrode of the system. Theunits are disposed in circular arrangement about a predeternned axis 5.Journalled at this axis is a main distributor rotor 6 which is adaptedto register successively with the input terminals 4 to feed current tothe respective distributor units, These .parts are housed in a casingincluding a central section I3 having an outlet neck I0 for leadingoutconductors, an upper end section II bolted to the central section at I2and a lower end sec. .tion I3 bolted to the central section at I4. Inthe present instance the distributor units are spaced about thev axis 5at equal angular intervals of 120. Such even disposition of the. unitsabout the axis 5 permits a compact arrangement of the distributor parts,but itwill be understood that my invention is not necessarily limited.to an equal spacing of the units. Rather, in its broader aspects, aswill hereinafter more fully appear, my invention `contemplates anydesired physical arrangement of the auxiliary distributors withthe'limitation that their respective input terminals constitute theelectrodes of a main distributor driven in a predetermined tim.- ingrelationship to the auxiliary distributors.

The lower casing section I3. has a central cylindrical portion I3' opento the bottom and terminating at the top into a bearing housing I whichextends up into the central casingsection Ill.l The botsing is lined bya .bushing li in which there is journalled a sleeve I8. This sleeve hasan enlarged diameter portion I3 at the top tereminating into anoutwardly extending flange, I9; thisk flange forms a support for themain rotor (il as is hereinafter explained. The sleeve Iis received by ashaft 2I which constitutes the drive shaft for the magneto. This shaftis keyed. at 211 to a drive gear 23 disposed within the' cylindricalcasing portion I3' between the lower end of the sleeve I8 and anintegral collar 24 on the shaft. A nut 26V threaded on the upper endofthe shaft 2 I. within the enlarged-diameter sleeve portion I8' serves tohold the sleeve I3 and gear ggtightly in place on the shaft.

vIntegral with the lower casing section I3? are Ptlmilg, Walls I5 (seeFigure 3) which extend utjfrgm the cylindrical casing portion I3 andform three. separate We1ls28 eouidistontiv snoced about this cylindricalcosine portion. These Weils communicate through. windows 29withtbeinterior vof the cylindrical casing portion, and have shoulderedrecesses 30 at the bottom which form seats for bearings 3|, as are shownin Figure 1. The wells have circular openings 32 at the top. Into theseopenings are fitted annular caps 33 which carry bearings 34 verticallyin line with the bearings 3I just mentioned. The caps have lugs 35 atthe sides which are secured to the partitionins walls I5 by .screws 38.Shafts 31 are jou-mailed i-n the bearings 3I and 34 and have gears 38secured thereto within the wells 28. These gears project through therespective windows 23 to mesh with the drive gears 23. The shafts 37project up into the central casing section Izi). and form spindles forthe rotors 3 of the respective distributor units as will hereinaftermore fully appear.

Each of .the distributor units comprises a hollow cylindrical body 39 ofinsulating material having the respective annular cap 33 as a base, thebody being secured to the cap in any suitable manner. Each body 3.9v bosa connterbore 11.9 at the. .tov end hos o series of l--sboped conductorYelements 4i. embedded therein and projecting up intotbe counterbore 4Dto form the leading-.out electrodes 2 Vabovernentioned in the presentinstance there are in each unit lsix of these electrodes equi, distantlyspaced.

For each conductor element 4I there is prio.-4 vided a lateral opening42- in the .body 39 which runsv from a point directly beneaththeconductor element through a side` face 43 o f the body, Theseopenings form channels for leading-.out conductor wires. .4.4 whichconnect to the respective conductors elements. through piercing screws5, as is shownin Figure l. The openings 4Z are grouped. into two. sets.of-y three each, which sets are disposed at opposite. sides of the body3.9, The openings for the two conductor. elements adjacent the face 43.are located at, an upper level; those for the two conductor elementsoppio: site the face .4.3 are locatedat al lower level; while those forthe two: intermediate ,condllGtOr elements are located at anintermediate. level (see Figures 4 andA 5). In order top ermit anadvantageous aggroupment of the leading-out con,-y

ductor wires 44, the openings of the respective sets are led out throughthe face 43 at points verticallyk in line; and the distributor units.are oriented. so that their faces are directed toward the outlet necklilas o focal point. .For instance, the faces of the distributor units` ih.and Ic will be thus directly adjacent the outlet neck I0' and the faceof theremaining distributor. unit Iawill. be directed between theother-units towardths eutletneck. By having the conductor wires, leadout vertically` inline from opposite sidesof, the-face .43, ofthis unit,la. the vconductor wires may be led. conveniently .to the outlet neck..III.' inieroii'ps ofA tnreoot oppositesidcs ofv the. bear.- ing housingl5. between this housing. and. the respective distributor units Iba-nd.I c, es is shown in Fienr-es l and 2- 'iho auxiliary distributor rotors.S'oi'tbe'i'esoective distributor units each comprise .n.obflikc body 50of insulating materialintov which there.

is embedded o depending sleeve 5I oriented to .ftonto tbe respectiveshaft 31 and. be locked or .keyed thereto. in any suitable Also embeddedinto the body 5.0.is the inout terminal 4, which is.=it .s point axiallyabove the sleeve. 5.1', and o distributor conductor' element. 5,2riveted to the tcrrninoltond extending downtberefrom and then radially,outwardly from the.. body. 50 into thecounterbcre 40. o ftbobodv 392Upon-ro.- tationV of the rotor 3'this conductor element 52 registers inrecurring succession with the group of six leading-out electrodes 2 ofthe unit.

The main distributor rotor 6 comprises a saucer-shaped body ofinsulating material 53 having a lower flat face fitting the upperflanged end I9 of the sleeve I8 and secured thereto by screws 20.Embedded into this body 53 is a spidershaped conductor element 54 havinga plurality of feeding-out electrodes 55-there being four in the presentinstance particularly designated as 55a, 55h, 55e and 55drespectively-which are spaced equidistantly about the spider and whichproject out through the body 53. As is hereinafter explained, theseelectrodes 55 are adapted to register successively with the inputterminals 4 of the distributor units as the rotor 6 is turned. Alsoembedded in the body 53 within a central dome portion 53 thereof, is atubular conductor element 56 which is suitably united to the spiderconductor element 54 and extended up to the top of the dome portion. Inthis tubular element 56 there is a terminal button 51 pressed upwardlyby a compression spring 58. This button bears against the head of apointed screw 59 which is threaded into a metallic plate 60 that isembedded in an insulating block 6| carried by the top casing section lI. The block 6l has a laterally extending opening 62 leading out throughthe side thereof from directly above the plate 60. In this opening thereis a supply conductor 63 which is pierced by the pointed end of thepiercing screw 55 and thus locked in place and connected to the terminalbutton 51 through the screw 59. This supply conductor leads out of thedistributor casing as through an opening 64 and makes connection with asource of ignition current such as an ignition generator or magneto (notshown).

A booster circuit for supplying ignition current to the rotor 6 duringengine starting may comprise a metallic ring 65 embedded in the rotorbody 53 and provided with feeding-out electrodes interposed vbetween theelectrodes 55 of the spider conductor element 54,*which electrodes 10have lugs 10 connected as by welding to the ring 65. This ring projectsup above the level of the body 53 as is shown in Figure 1. Directlyabove the end of the ring but spaced therefrom is the head of a pointedscrew 66 which threads into a metallic plate 61 that is embedded in theinsulating block 6l. A lateral opening 68 in the block 6l abovethe plate61 includes a supply conductor 69. This conductor is pierced and lockedin place by the pointed end of the screw 66, and leads from the casingto a booster source of ignition current as through the opening 64.

In accordance with the present invention the feeding-out electrodes 55of the main rotor 6 are to register in recurring succession with theinput terminals 4 of the distributor units as the rotor is turned. lInthe present instance there are four feeding-out electrodes 55 and threeinput terminals 4, the electrodes and terminals being each equidistantlyspaced about the axis 5. As appears in Figure 2, when the feeding-'outelectrode 55a is in registration with the input terminal 4 of thedistributor unit la the next succeeding feedingout electrode 55D is at adistance of one-third the interval between succeeding electrodes fromthe input terminal 4 of unit lb; the next further feeding-outelectrode55e is at a distance of twothirds this interval from the input terminal4 ofthe'unit lc; and the remaining feeding-out electrode 55d is at adistance of` a full interval from the input terminal 4 of unit la. Thusa rotation of the rotor 6 through one-third of the interval justmentioned-which is through onetwelfth revolution thereof-will cause itto register with the distributor unit Ib; a further rotation throughanother one-twelfth revolution of the rotor will cause it to registerwith the distributor unit Ic and a still further rotation of a furtherone-twelfth revolution of the rotor will cause it to register with thedistributor unit la. As the rotor 6 is continued to be rotated thisprocess is repeated to cause the rotor to come into registration withthe distributor units in recurring succession, the several distributorunits being brought successively into registration with the rotor foreach one-fourth revolution of the latter. Thus, the provision of aplurality of feeding-out electrodes on the rotor permits the rotor speedto be very much reduced. Yet at no time will the rotor registersimultaneously with more than one of these distributor units, but willregister with the units in regular recurring sequence. A fundamentalrequirement for fulfilling the condition that the rotor 6 be able toregister with the distributor units in regular recurring sequence isthat successive input terminals 4 be progressively spaced in thedirection of advance of the rotor 6 at equal intervals from therespective preceding feedingout electrodes 55 of the rotor. So long asthe input terminals 4 and electrodes 55 are each equidistantly spacedabout the axis 5, as is here the case, it will be seen that there willbe realized the condition just mentioned provided the number of theelectrodes 55 and of the associated input terminals 4 shall not have acommon factor. However, it will be understood that the rotor may be madeto register with the distributor units in regular recurring successionwithout both the input terminals 4 and feeding-out electrodes 55 beingrespectively equidstantly spaced, and that the rule that they shall haveno common factor does not then apply.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, each auxiliary rotor3 is to register in recurring `succession with its respective group ofleading-out electrodes 2 ai; the instants the input terminal 4 of theunit is brought into registration with thel electrodes 55 of the mainrotor 6. In other words, the main rotor 6 is to feed the supply currentto the auxiliary distributor units in recurring succession, and, inturn, the auxiliary rotors 3 of these units are to distribute thissupply current to its associated leading-out electrodes in succession.Since in the present example the main rotor has four feeding-outelectrodes 55 and there are three distributor units each having sixleading-out electro-:ies 2, the auxiliary rotors 3 are each to turnthrough onesixth revolution for each one-fourth revolution of the mainrotor-the amount of turning of the main rotor required to cause it toregister once with each of the units as has been above explained. Thedrive ratio of the main and auxiliary rotors is thus 3:2, which is theratio ol the gears 38 and 23 above described. While each auxiliary rotor3 is driven at the speed of the others they are, relatively to another,offset angularly about their respective shafts with respect to theirleading-out electrodes. For instance, as is shown in Figure 2, when thedistributing element 52 of unit la is in registration with an electrode2, the distributing element 52 of unit Ib is set back one-third of theinterval between adjacent electrodes 2 and the distributing element 52of unit Ic is set back two-thirds the distance or such interval. Thus,for the relterminate into inward extensions 86 and 81 at points in linewith the sets of leading-out electrodes 83 and 84 respectively. Withinthese lngers there are embedded L-shaped conductor elements 88 and 89respectively. These conductor elements project slightly beyond the tipsof the fingers for registration with the respective sets of leading-outelectrodes 83 and 84. The distributing conductor element 88 extends tothe axis of the rotor 85 and there connects to a terminal 90 through ashort post 9| riveted to the conductor element and journalled in ahollow inner end portion of the terminal. This terminal which isembedded in the end wall 11 of the housing shell, constitutes an inputterminal for one of the distributors of the auxiliary unit and isconnected to one of the two outgoing conductors leading from the maindistributor unit 15, as to the conductor 8|. The distributing conductorelement 89 extends partially to the axis of the rotor and is riveted atits inner end to a conductor element 92. This conductor element carriesa brush 93 at its other end which bears slidably against an annular ring94 embedded in the end wall 11 of the distributor shell. This ring isconnected to a terminal 95 which extends through the end wall 11. Thisterminal constitutes an input terminal for the other of the distributorsof the auxiliary unit 16 and is connected to the outgoing conductor 82.

To provide a large dielectric spacing between the elements of theseparate distributors of the auxiliary unit 16, the housing shell 11 androtor 85 are provided with interengaging parts of insulating material.These parts include a series of concentric flanges on the end wall 11 ofthe housing shell, which are a flange 96 between the sets of leading-outelectrodes 83 and 84, a ange 91 between the inner set of leading-outelectrodes 84 and the ring 94, and a pair of concentric flanges 98 and99 between the ring 94 and the central input terminal 90. To the endabovestated, the rotor 85 has the inward extension 86 of the longerfinger thereof interposed between the outer wall of the housing shelland the flange 96, and has the inward extension 81 of the shorter ngerthereof interposed between the flanges 96 and 91. Also, the rotor 85 hasa tubular extension of insulating material embracing the conductorelement 92 and interposed between the anges 91 and 98, and has a centralcircular flange I0| which engages the annular recess provided betweenthe flanges 98 and 99.

The fingers of the rotor 85 are oppositely directed as aforementioned,but are angularly spaced at less than 180 by an amount of one-half theangular interval between adjacent leadingout electrodes of each set.Thus, as the rotor 85 is turned the distributor conductor elements 88and 89 will register alternately with successive ones of the respectivesets of leading-out electrodes 83 and 84. In the present example, thereare seven leading-out electrodes in each set to provide an ignitiondistributor for a fourteencylinder engine. Since the rotor 85 willregister once with each of the leading-out electrodes of the auxiharyunit during each complete revolution thereof, and since the maindistributor unit is capable of feeding out four current impulses pereach revolution of its rotor 18, it follows that the rotor 18 is to bedriven at three and onehalf times the speed of the rotor 85. The driveshown in Figure 6, and hereinafter explained in detail, is adapted todrive these rotors at such relative speeds and, further, in such timedrelationship that the supply conductor is connected to the rotordistributor elements of the auxiliary distributors at the instants theseelements register with successive ones of their respectively associatedleading-out electrodes.

In driving the main and auxiliary distributors as above described,current impulses are fed alternately to the rotor distributing elements88 and 89 and these elements convey the current impulses to successiveones of their respectively associated sets of leading-out electrodes.Since the succession of current impulses from the Conductor 80 aredistributed alternately by the main distributor unit 15 to the separatedistributors of the auxiliary unit, the frequency of the currentimpulses distributed by the auxiliary distributors is reduced toone-half from what it would be in a conventional distributor and,accordingly, for a given size of distributor, the effective dielectricspacing between successive leading-out electrodes is increased bysubstantially two times. Since the main distributor unit may be readilydesigned to avoid any appreciable bridging action and the auxiliarydistributors are effectively isolated from one another, it will be seenthat a distributor arrangement constructed in accordance with theprinciples herein disclosed is particularly well suited to servemulticylindered engines for use in the raried atmosphere wherematerially larger dielectric insulation between successive distributingpositions is required.

The distributor arrangement just described is particularly well adaptedto, and is herein illustrated in Figure 6 in connection with, a magnetoof the type disclosed in my application Serial No. 375,996, led January25, 1941, and entitled Magneto construction. In the magneto herereferred to the flux controlling rotor is provided with a limited numberof poles and the rotor is then driven above engine speed to provide therequisite number of ignition sparks per engine revolution. For instance,the magneto may have a four-pole ermanent magnet rotor |02 carried on ashaft |82 and coacting with field pieces, one of which is shown andreferred to as |03, the field pieces being bridged by an ignition coil|04 having a high tension output terminal |05 connected to the supplyconductor 89. For an engine of fourteen cylinders, as has been abovereferred to, the rotor |02 is driven to provide seven sparks per enginerevolution or at one and three-quarters times engine speed. The rotormay be so driven from a drive shaft |06 rotated at seven-eighths enginespeed, as through suitable gearing not herein shown, and coupled to theshaft |82' of the rotor through bevelled gearing |01 having a stepped-uptransmission ratioof 2:1.

When the rotor |82 is provided with as many poles as the number ofcurrent impulses which the main distributor unit 15 is adapted to feedoutper revolution of its rotor 18, these rotors are to be driven at thesame speed and, accordingly, the distributor rotor 1,8 may be simplyrigidly mounted on the magneto rotor shaft |02. The rotor 85 of theauxiliary distributor unit, which is to rotate at two-sevenths the speedof the main distributor rotor 15 as aforementioned, may then be drivenfrom the drive shaft |06 through gearing |88 having a stepped-downtransmission ratio of 4:7.

It will be seen that the distributor arrangement of Figures 6 and 7lends itself to being readily incorporated into the above-describedmagneto to provide a compact magneto and distributor ar- .rsiisemeiitoeioulole el .serriiie eiiioieritiy .ansi .deiieiioebly eusiiieslier-.ius aree v.iiuliiloers oi orliuifliersfrorirstsiioe, tl'ie of triemein .distributor writ. .in `@olii.u .iioiioii 7uitlo.the .auxiliaryiistriloutor vurli-t l5 o -reitsletter .to lie mede tilyendrel *ii/.elymail lloret Providine @large .diele ceri ing beto/ een siieeessiveiiiiis 'or .distributies iiositioiis .Within .aus iliiy' llilt Yet the`n unititselfis .of i/ery smells fi, sisi 1e. ooustr oiieud .Gori leeiii.- ,eluded .iii the oeiietoiuitiiout suhstieritiel edoiiiioriiriiirir. iiieehsriisiu or ,iii .tile `site `oi the roeerieion ,le thefforeeoiris detailed -iieserilitiori seriele preferred @mbo'meotsotrriyinu .ti esel neil rli liowerer to lee-i1 rio' uuiieoessery'irritation .of vmy eutsue *iA erstens" .met enton ,to the `disclosed isirlfof seid u to drve'sald main rotor'anl the separate rogrs .of seiduuitsiri .e oretieterrriiued tiiiiiiisreletioiislur?- .en ieiiitioiidistributies, .for .Cerri/ius ourrent .impulses from osuoielr eleetrodeto .e

' itis-out, {electro-ties t t reoiiiriiie- 1.1.9.1. plurality .ofauxilarydistribuioriotorror respetivegm o f signaa- .tlie oiseitl otorsbeius .ius-lout eleotrotles .systemiriolusiirie e. une ity of@isn-imite, s, .disposed et predetermined. .intervels .eloout s fouteeotliodes. end ,a distribute .oiirreut impulses to its seid ius.,uevineeu oueuiii tori the '.eoui' iii yieri oi. ri i lli? iii. .solo'liousirisg p'lurelity or distributor :units spese@ vfiloout esiti .meinrotor eiisi'eeeh hei/ius en iuiiut terminal positioned ior hav@ i,

.ruis iu .reeurriris .sueues,sieri; en@ .meeiis of seiduriitsiiioludiris f vCad @esima reslstrettiori Witlissid moin rotor unda 4group of leading-out electrodes, .eeoli .of vsaid distributor unitsfur-ther having apertures for conductors LD be .eonneeted to therespective leading-.out eleotrodes, .the -iuiertures .of leech `unit allterminating .at one side of the unit; and .means -irioiintingsaid.distributor units in said housing in positions wherein said apertures,are .directed towards the said .opening `o f the housing.

.A ou, ,Clit distributing device comprising .a housing provided with .a.central bearing; it plu- .rulity of seperate distributor units mountedin seid housing undspaeed about seid bearing .as `ti Center. seid units`@seh Comprising a circular ser of stationery electrodes .arid el rotorjouriislled .at the center of said seusaitlrotor ineludingsdistrililitilie eleotroee .confronting the respective eleotrofie setsrrd.serially disposed terminal .Qonrieoted .to .seid eleetrode; s mein.distributor .rotor lourualled iii ,saisi lieuriiis..ouedl adopted yforfeediris, eurreiit impulsessueoessively to the. .said ktermirisls oi".seid distributor nuits; and .a `dro/e for ,seid mein roter end therotors ef seid units adopted to drive `the in .e fixed predeterminedtiming Areleiti,oiosliipof .ifi Current .distributies devies`ooiuiloiisiug s 'hQl-ll ,DIQVLdGd with aelltolal mam bearing? a siriveslieit viCitrine-,lieti iii soie bearing: seoeroto distributies .unitsspese@ ist angular intervals about said'ueeriue 'eueresiieetiVelycOmpriSine oii'oul'or stetiouery sets of leading-outelectrodes erre oooperetiiie. Adistributing rotors, seid .rotors bolus4ioilrrieilied. to seid .housing .and Vbeine oro- Vided with leiding-iii:terminals: a main distributiiis rotor mounted, on .seid shaftsod-adapted to register suoelsslvely with the Vterminals of said units;and gearing insaid housing drvingly couplng the rotors of said units tosaid shaft.

7. A current distributing deve -comprising a 'housing section providedwith a centra-1 bearing; a series of Yseparate distributor unitsAdisposed about said bearing yund respectively having distrbutrnygrotors journa-lled to vsaid housing, said rotors having leading-lnconducting members mounted thereon; ai drive shaft journalled in saidbearing: a main rotor en `said shaft adapted to register with saidleading-in conducting members to"feed urrent impulses to said seperatedistributor units; gearing drlv'ingly connecting the rotors ofsaid unitstolsaid shaft; and partitioning in said housing secvtlon formingfalubricating compartment for said gearing.

8. AIn an electrul distributor: the combination of a mein distributorrotor; a plurality of aux lg'ary distributing means disposed atintervals about .the axis of rotation o f said main distributor rotor,each of said auxiliary distributing means includingA a distributorrotor, and said main rotor being -adaoted l'co register' with Vtheauxiliary rotors in recurring succession; sind means to drive said mainand auxiliary distributor rotors in predetermined timing relationship.

EDWARD B. NOWOSIELSKI.

